Category State
Tobacco tax would limit significant sales from Washingtonians, state economist says
New revenue generated from increasing Oregon’s tobacco tax would come with an additional decline in sales because Washington buyers would likely stop crossing the river to buy, economists said Wednesday during a legislative informational hearing. The proposal is for a $2 per-pack hike to pay…
Oregon winemakers push bills to clamp down on out-of-state competition
Staff at Willamette Valley Vineyards, based in Turner, move barrels of wine in fall of last year. Winery owner Jim Bernau has been a vocal leader in proposing new legislation to clamp down on out-of-state wineries. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) Update: A correction has been appended…
Controversial vaccine bill passed out of committee, devastating those opposed
Two women embrace following the passage of a bill that would end nonmedical exemptions for required vaccines. Those in attendance were overwhelmingly opposed to the proposal. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) A legislative proposal that would ban nonmedical exemptions for required vaccinations passed out of committee on…
Gov. Kate Brown grabs national spotlight on voter access
Gov. Kate Brown talks about Oregon’s voting policies, such as automatic voter registration, at a Center for American Progress panel in Washington D.C. in February. (Photo courtesy of Chris Williams for the Center for American Progress) In her final four years as governor, Kate Brown…
Oregon should overhaul handling of insanity defendants, state official says
PORTLAND — The state of Oregon needs to overhaul the way it handles people found guilty except for insanity and better track what happens to them once they are released from state jurisdiction, the head of the agency that supervises such defendants said. In an…
Report finds Oregon’s most vulnerable residents don’t have proper access to legal services
(Caleb Wolf/special to Salem Reporter) Many low-income Oregonians who need legal help can’t get it and they pay a price, a new study found. Such defendants are bombarded with legal issues. When they do have to appear in court, they often don’t understand the system…
Taxpayers bear the cost of $1.3 million sexual harassment settlement for lawmakers’ misdeeds
SALEM — In the next month, the Legislature will write a check for $1.1 million to finish its settlement of sexual harassment claims at the Capitol. But it won’t be legislators or employees accused of the misconduct who have to pay. The money comes from…
Waste-burning firm spreads money chasing carbon cap exemption for Brooks plant
Covanta Marion’s trash burning facility in Brooks is one of the state’s largest polluters. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter) SALEM — The company that operates the Brooks garbage-burning facility contributed more than $20,000 in campaign contributions last fall ahead of getting favorable legislation that would spare it…
Hundreds turn out for heated, emotional testimony on vaccination bill
Hundreds signed up to give testimony on a bill that would end nonmedical exemptions for vaccines. The opposition was easily spotted, either by their red shirts or yellow stickers stating they are against House Bill 6063. (Aubrey Wieber/Salem Reporter) SALEM — The Capitol swelled with…